Elevated expression and altered processing of fibulin-1 protein in human breast cancer
2003

Fibulin-1 Protein in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 62 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Greene L M, Twal W O, Duffy M J, McDermott E W, Hill A D, O'Higgins N J, McCann A H, Dervan P A, Argraves W S, Gallagher W M

Primary Institution: University College Dublin

Hypothesis

The study evaluates fibulin-1 protein expression in human breast tumors and its correlation with estrogen receptor status.

Conclusion

Fibulin-1 protein expression is elevated in breast carcinomas compared to normal breast tissue.

Supporting Evidence

  • Fibulin-1 protein expression was significantly increased in breast carcinomas compared to normal breast tissue.
  • The study found no significant difference in fibulin-1 expression between normal breast tissue and benign tumors.
  • Altered processing of fibulin-1 was associated with breast cancer.
  • Fibulin-1 processing was more extensive in ERα-positive than in ERα-negative breast carcinomas.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called fibulin-1 is more common in breast cancer than in healthy breast tissue.

Methodology

The study used immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis to assess fibulin-1 expression in breast tissue samples.

Limitations

The study had a limited number of benign tumors examined, which may affect the significance of some comparisons.

Participant Demographics

The study included 62 patients with various breast conditions, including normal, benign, and malignant tumors.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0005

Statistical Significance

p=0.0005

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600802

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